Leicester Schools Peace Project

The Leicester Schools Peace Project is a collaboration between local peace organisers and activists, educators, the University of Leicester, Leicester SACRE, and the Peace Pledge Union.

We began inspired by the centenary of the University of Leicester (1921-2021). Uniquely, the University was established as a “living memorial” after WW1, a “palace of peace”, with the Latin motto meaning “That they might have life.”

This project explores local stories, places and faiths to inspire young people in Leicester and Leicestershire to become “citizens of change” and acquire the knowledge and skills to work for a sustainably peaceful and just future. The project focusses on developing critical thinking and strong ethical understandings of conflict and reconciliation, justice and nonviolence, war and peace. Leicester is a wonderfully diverse city and we want to contribute to the peace of the city and to justice and fairness for all through this project.

The Leicester Schools Peace Project is launched with a pilot series of lesson plans and assemblies for Key Stage 2 & 3 which are available for free on this website. We have also created guided “peace tours” of stories and the first buildings on the University campus and ‘remembering’ through nearby war memorials. The tours will be led by especially trained student ambassadors and are also free. Students will have the opportunity to think about those impacted by war and violence through stories and active learning opportunities on the tour. Throughout the resources there is a focus on history and future, thinking and action, examining different perspectives, and local and global citizenship.

We are looking for other local groups, educators and activists who are interested in developing similar projects elsewhere in the country. We can support with developing resources for your local schools and community that are linked to the History, PSHCE or Citizenship curriculum.

Our gratitude is extended to all those who have advised or contributed to this project particularly university staff, teachers, and peace, faith groups, and Leicester SACRE.

We look forward to hearing how the resources are used and how the project can be further developed and improved. Please feel very welcome to get in touch!

Saffron Gallup and Andrew Bolton

Coordinators, Leicester and Leicestershire Schools Peace Project

mail@ppu.org.uk / abolton2@live.com